Midway

5 - Midway up the main aisle

We are now standing in the part of the church called the "nave." As we stand here in the center of the church, there are many features that call for our attention. First of all, take a look at the beautiful rose window. It was opened to view two years ago when we built our addition. Years ago organ pipes were located in the center section and the window was blocked by the organ louvers, (wooden slats which open or close to make the organ louder or softer). The balcony served for many years as the choir loft. Helen Flajole played the organ here for 70 years. The balcony area has been re-built to accommodate overflow seating. Two new stairways provide access to this area.

The beautiful stained glass windows were created by White Stained Glass Studio in Sarasota, Florida about 15 years ago. They depict various invocations from the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These are titles which were given to Mary over the ages and were brought together and approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587 to create this litany. Various popes have added titles to the litany over the years. The most recent was added by Pope Pius XII: "Queen Assumed into Heaven"

The sturdy wooden pillars and beams provide an interesting and unique architectural detail, and remind us of our lumbering heritage.

Notice the stations of the cross. They are wood carvings from Italy. The fifteen stations provide an opportunity for people to walk the Way of the Cross with Jesus, meditating on various scenes along the way. They begin near the eastern stairway and continue around the church in a clockwise direction, ending with the resurrection, which is appropriately located right next to the baptismal font.

You can see that there are many symbols in this building that can capture our attention. But do you know what the most important symbol of all is - more important than even the baptismal font or the ambo or the altar? It is you - the congregation! When we gather here, we are the Body of Christ made visible in flesh and blood! It is this gathering of the baptized that gives meaning to all the other symbols. This is what makes the difference between a museum and a house of worship. You could see all these items on display in a museum. It is the living presence of the People of God, gathered to give God their full, conscious and active participation, that makes this a true house of worship.

The Church teaches us that the risen Christ is truly present in four ways at every Eucharist: 1) in the Presider, 2) in the Congregation, 3) in the Word and 4) in the consecrated Bread and Wine. Remember this, and look around you whenever you come to church and take your seat. The Mystical Body of Christ surrounds you and you are a part of it. It is a living sign of the presence of the risen Christ, dwelling in the hearts of His disciples. Here you encounter the Body of Christ, Head and members.